(229) THE AUSTRALIAN CONNECTION

THE AUSTRALIAN CONNECTION

ON JUNE 29, 2009, Roberto Hernandez emaield the President of Oceania 3.2b Zone Gary Bekker about the amount of $476.00 that Palau has to pay as membership fee for the World Chess Federation (FIDE). The following is his reply:

Dear Roberto, Thank you for your email and for sending me a copy of the FIDE invoice. I will send small financial contribution and will send you money for $100 in the coming weeks. Try to negotiate with Valentina and David Jarrett for a later payment of the fees, given the current financial circumstances.

I would also to ask to join CACDEC, the FIDE body which provides support for developing chess countries. Once CACDEC membership approves, you would be eligible to regularly receive chess sets and clocks from FIDE provided you can report where and how they are being used to promote chess in Palau.

If you can, I think you should try to send a team to the Olympiad in Turin, but I can understand if this is not financially possible. The Olympiad website is http://chessolympiad-torino2006.org/

Did you get to try the links to the Free Internet Chess Club http://www.freechess.org and http://freechess.org/javaboard/?

Just log in as a guest, or register for a free account online. If you can get this work, it might be possible to set up an internet match between players from Palau and some leading chess clubs in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji.

I would also like to sign you up to receive the Australian Chess Federation's email newsletter free of charge. If this is okay with you.

Warmest regards, Gary Bekker

The generous help of Mr. Bekker inspired some individuals to donate some amount for the fundraising. Ms. Susan Andres, the venue host of the just concluded 2005 Open Chess tourney, donated $5.00 while Morton Sawaichi donated his brilliancy prize of $50.00 to the campaign.

The drive was initiated by Palau Chess Federation Chairman Tutii Joe Chilton and Hernandez, who contributed $50.00 each.

Two-time champion Menandro Manuel and Most Improved Player awardee Gene Pastrana also pledged $50.00 each.

The awarding of trophies and certificates for the winners and participants of the just concluded 2005 Open was held at T-shirt Printing, Atbp. Office Sunday, October 2.

Bendix N. Lakobong, one of the main sponsors, didn't make it. Leo Lacambra, Jr. and Roswell Macapagal awarded the trophies to the following:

Jose Omega, Champion; Bong Alipoon, 1st runner-up; Cyril Montel, Jr., 2nd runner-up; Manuel Nedic, 3rd runner-up, Roberto Hernandez, 4th runner-up and Pastrana, Most Improved Player.

Alipoon and Nedic didn't make as the former went home for vacation in the Philippines. He requested the Chairman to have a sudden death match with Omega to determine the champion as both of them have 12.5 points.

Omega agreed for single game match and defeated Alipoon in more than 30 moves of English Opening.

In the 2003 Age Group Chess Tournament, Omega also shows genuine sportsmanship when he gave Mike Miguel, jr. a sudden death game after they are tied for 1st place in the Class B division.

Omega also won to capture his first Class B title. Thus, Omega became the first Class B titlist to win a regular title.

Mr. Bekker's donations of chess materials have arrived. It's 42 pieces of books, magazines, newsletters and score sheets. Manuel borrowed 3 books while Francis 'Sno' Temaungil subscribed to Koala Moves (The Official Koala Newsletter) for one year. He likes the instructional features of the newsletter such as Chess, IQ Test, Tricky Tactics, Classic Game, Chess Tips, Word Search, Crossword Puzzle, Chess Trivia and Mystery Person.

Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez

Tia Belau Newspaper

Pages 13 & 15

Volume 18

Issue 26

June 29-July 05, 2009